Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 99-03-30

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From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA

No. 53/99 -- 30.3.99

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash quotes Kissinger: Separation only solution.

[02] Denktash leaves for Turkey on private visit.

[03] Turkey´s NSC said to discuss Kosovo, Greek relations, Cyprus.

[04] Denktash comments on Kosovo, Cyprus solution. Turkey´s Gurel on President Clerides´s remarks on disarmament

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash quotes Kissinger: Separation only solution

Denktash read passages from Kissinger´s articles, quoting him as saying that if the courts and the Constitution cannot save the minority, then the only thing the minority can do is to separate. According to Denktash, Kissinger believed that the only solution for two communities that do not have common targets or a common history is separation. Kissinger also said:

If an ethnic war erupts somewhere, it will only lead to the total annihilation of one of the two sides by the other, or to a separation.

[02] Denktash leaves for Turkey on private visit

[03] Turkey´s NSC said to discuss Kosovo, Greek relations, Cyprus

The principal topic on the agenda of the NSC meeting was the NATO operation in Kosovo and Turkey´s role in these developments. Military officials briefed the meeting about the responsibilities of the Turkish F-16 aircraft participating in the NATO operation.

The meeting discussed the effects on Turkey of any possible instabilities that may surface as a result of developments in the Balkans. The need for preparedness, especially in Turkey´s border regions, was emphasized.

The participants in the meeting discussed the program to combat reactionism, which includes the implementation of the Prime Minister´s directive aimed at preventing any exploitation of religion in the election campaign, as well as election security across the country. The latest domestic political developments were also reviewed at the meeting.

Other topics discussed at the meting included measures to cope with the flow of Kosovo refugees arriving in Turkey, measures to counter terrorist acts that have escalated since Abdullah Ocalan´s capture, the battle against the PKK, security measures for the approaching tourist season, relations with Greece, the alleged support provided by Greece to the PKK, the Cyprus problem and northern Iraq.

[04] Denktash comments on Kosovo, Cyprus solution

Denktash, who is vacationing on the Karadeniz liner, visited his brother´s grave in Izmir, the first port of call.

Replying to reporters´ questions in Izmir, Denktash claimed: ``The big states allowed this. I would have preferred peace being attained in Kosovo without any bombing. Bombing does not achieve success. It may interrupt the attacks for some time. It is the Kosovo people´s right to live separately''.

Denktash also declared that intervention against the Serbs was important in terms of NATO´s prestige. The Serbs claimed that the clashes will spread to the whole of Europe, Denktash remarked, adding:

``If the interests of the big countries favour the spreading of the clashes to the whole of Europe, then the clashes will spread. Similarly, the Cyprus problem would have been resolved the same day it cropped up if it were not for the Greek lobby in the United States and the interests of the British bases in Cyprus. Now, Cyprus has turned into an insoluble problem.''

Alleging that solutions based on the principle of ``two states'' must be produced in Cyprus, Denktash said: ``We are comfortable in Cyprus. The final word has been said. There is a people that has governed itself for 36 years. It is necessary to reach a conciliation on the basis of two states''.

Referring to the Greek Cypriots he further claimed: ``Apparently now the Greek Cypriots are planning to purchase short-range missiles. How can one make peace with people who are purchasing weapons? They want a Cyprus that is united with he EU. This would eliminate Turkish rights. We cannot accept any of these proposals. They propose to replace the Turkish troops with a multinational force. Such a force was unable to protect us in the past. Only Turkish troops would shed their blood for us.''

[05] Turkey´s Gurel on President Clerides´s remarks on disarmament

In his response, Gurel inter alia claimed that ``an administration, which has armed itself to the teeth'', as he put it, cannot speak of disarmament.

Gurel said that if a solution is to be reached in Cyprus, both the Turkish and Greek Cypriots and the concerned circles should display political will. He also underlined that the security and safety of the Turkish Cypriots are guaranteed by Turkey.

Gurel went on to say that the economic cooperation agreements concluded with Turkey for the economic development of the pseudostate will remain in effect.

From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/

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